In an effort to protect valuable artifacts that are part of its collection, the New Hampshire State Library has embarked on a program to preserve its rare and unique items. Using the expertise of the Northeast Documents Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover, Massachusetts, the library has encapsulated in Mylar, two copies of what is known as the Carrigan map.

The Mylar acts as a barrier to the damaging ultraviolet light. Because it is the first official map of the state, and because of its age, 175 years old, great care was required to preserve this important artifact for future generations. The State Library, like many libraries, is looking at digitization as an important tool to provide access to library holdings. Digitizing will provide access to those who are not able to travel to Concord to use our collection. In addition, the Mylar will reduce the handling of materials in the collection helping to prolong the life of the items. We certainly will be digitizing many of our important documents to facilitate their use. We will be working on preserving the originals so the people of New Hampshire can see the items as they were originally done.

The New Hampshire State Library has a number of rare maps in its collection. We are working to see that all the maps are protected and displayed for the residents of our state to enjoy.

Our map gallery, on the second floor of the library, has a selection of New Hampshire County maps dating from the mid-19th century. All of the County maps have been restored by the NEDCC. In the map gallery you will also find the Hitchcock map of New Hampshire designed by C.H. Hitchcock, State Geologist in 1877 and executed by Dartmouth College students. The map is displayed vertically and stands 22 feet high and 8 feet at the base. The map is a relief map showing the important geologic features of the state and the towns, and railroads and roads as they appeared in 1876.

The maps are just one of the collections we are working on to protect. There are many many others.